Antony Hook
@antonyhook.bsky.social
Leader of the Official Opposition at Kent County Council. Liberal Democrat. Ex-MEP.
Merry Christmas 🎄
December 24, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Merry Christmas 🎄
Reposted by Antony Hook
The Liberal Democrats held 82% of seats they defended in Council By-Elections in 2025 #ByElectionsWrapped
1) LDM (82%)
2) GRN (67%)
3) RFM (60%)
4) CON (32%)
5) LAB (28%)
1) LDM (82%)
2) GRN (67%)
3) RFM (60%)
4) CON (32%)
5) LAB (28%)
December 23, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The Liberal Democrats held 82% of seats they defended in Council By-Elections in 2025 #ByElectionsWrapped
1) LDM (82%)
2) GRN (67%)
3) RFM (60%)
4) CON (32%)
5) LAB (28%)
1) LDM (82%)
2) GRN (67%)
3) RFM (60%)
4) CON (32%)
5) LAB (28%)
Reposted by Antony Hook
The Liberal Democrats won 106 Council By-Elections in 2025, more than any other party #ByElectionsWrapped
1) LDM 106
2) RFM 104
3) CON 45
4) LAB 36
5) GRN 24
1) LDM 106
2) RFM 104
3) CON 45
4) LAB 36
5) GRN 24
December 23, 2025 at 9:06 AM
It is surely the output of council services that measures success, not the working patterns of staff?
Four-day week may be considered a sign of failure, England councils told
Four-day week may be considered a sign of failure, England councils told
Local government secretary writes to town halls warning them against ‘part-time work for full-time pay’
The secretary for local government has written to all councils to warn that adopting a four-day week for staff puts them at risk of being declared a failing authority, according to reports.
Twenty-five councils have discussed a four-day week policy and one, South Cambridgeshire district council, has already moved to the pattern. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:25 PM
It is surely the output of council services that measures success, not the working patterns of staff?
Reposted by Antony Hook
Four-day week may be considered a sign of failure, England councils told
Four-day week may be considered a sign of failure, England councils told
Local government secretary writes to town halls warning them against ‘part-time work for full-time pay’
The secretary for local government has written to all councils to warn that adopting a four-day week for staff puts them at risk of being declared a failing authority, according to reports.
Twenty-five councils have discussed a four-day week policy and one, South Cambridgeshire district council, has already moved to the pattern. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Four-day week may be considered a sign of failure, England councils told
Reposted by Antony Hook
The Lib Dem group leader, @antonyhook.bsky.social accused Reform of “wanting to spend public money on a political apparatchik to tell them what to do. KCC is in a worsening financial state under Reform with the projected overspend now at £46m and rising”
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform councillors in Kent condemned for spending thousands on political assistants
Party that pledged to cut waste and save money faces criticism after pushing through vote to employ advisers
www.theguardian.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The Lib Dem group leader, @antonyhook.bsky.social accused Reform of “wanting to spend public money on a political apparatchik to tell them what to do. KCC is in a worsening financial state under Reform with the projected overspend now at £46m and rising”
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
This is amazing. Well done everyone. Come and join us. Libdems.org.uk/join
December 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
This is amazing. Well done everyone. Come and join us. Libdems.org.uk/join
Reposted by Antony Hook
A reminder, Reform were only supported by just over a third of Kent voters but due to our ridiculous voting system they have a massive majority on Kent County Council. So we have years to put up with this kind of thing. Keep up the good work @antonyhook.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK councillor Peter Osborne faces probe over punch threat
Peter Osborne made the threat in a WhatsApp group chat with other members about a leaked video.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 12:03 PM
A reminder, Reform were only supported by just over a third of Kent voters but due to our ridiculous voting system they have a massive majority on Kent County Council. So we have years to put up with this kind of thing. Keep up the good work @antonyhook.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
About time an inquiry on this was launched.
December 16, 2025 at 2:51 PM
About time an inquiry on this was launched.
🚨 We need to urgently talk about this year's flu crisis. With hospital admissions doubling compared to last year, we are calling for immediate government action to protect the vulnerable and support our NHS. #Kent #PublicHealth #NHS
December 15, 2025 at 11:39 AM
🚨 We need to urgently talk about this year's flu crisis. With hospital admissions doubling compared to last year, we are calling for immediate government action to protect the vulnerable and support our NHS. #Kent #PublicHealth #NHS
Reposted by Antony Hook
It’s time to chainsaw the Brexit red tape and end the cost of living crisis. Labour MPs should back our plan for a new customs union.
December 8, 2025 at 8:01 PM
It’s time to chainsaw the Brexit red tape and end the cost of living crisis. Labour MPs should back our plan for a new customs union.
Linking the ECHR with cars for disabled people is a new depth of absurdity for the Conservative Party.
The ECHR prohibits discrimination (Article 14) and rightly so.
Is Badenoch telling us she wants to treat some disabled people differently to others in a discriminatory way?
The ECHR prohibits discrimination (Article 14) and rightly so.
Is Badenoch telling us she wants to treat some disabled people differently to others in a discriminatory way?
December 7, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Linking the ECHR with cars for disabled people is a new depth of absurdity for the Conservative Party.
The ECHR prohibits discrimination (Article 14) and rightly so.
Is Badenoch telling us she wants to treat some disabled people differently to others in a discriminatory way?
The ECHR prohibits discrimination (Article 14) and rightly so.
Is Badenoch telling us she wants to treat some disabled people differently to others in a discriminatory way?
One of our local churches has a Christmas Tree made from recycled leaflets.
Honoured to make an appearance...
Honoured to make an appearance...
November 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
One of our local churches has a Christmas Tree made from recycled leaflets.
Honoured to make an appearance...
Honoured to make an appearance...
Regarding the Gill (and potential others) Russian bribery case..
A person in a very senior role at the European Parliament has told me the UK authorities have not contacted the Parliament to ask for information, records etc.
As both a former Crown Prosecutor and former MEP, I'm surprised by that.
A person in a very senior role at the European Parliament has told me the UK authorities have not contacted the Parliament to ask for information, records etc.
As both a former Crown Prosecutor and former MEP, I'm surprised by that.
November 28, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Regarding the Gill (and potential others) Russian bribery case..
A person in a very senior role at the European Parliament has told me the UK authorities have not contacted the Parliament to ask for information, records etc.
As both a former Crown Prosecutor and former MEP, I'm surprised by that.
A person in a very senior role at the European Parliament has told me the UK authorities have not contacted the Parliament to ask for information, records etc.
As both a former Crown Prosecutor and former MEP, I'm surprised by that.
Reposted by Antony Hook
Public policy through pop culture! Yes please.
What The Martian tells us about how to improve the science ecosystem.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/time-to-sc...
What The Martian tells us about how to improve the science ecosystem.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/time-to-sc...
Time to science the sh*t out of our problems?
Rebuilding public trust in science
howtorunacountry.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Public policy through pop culture! Yes please.
What The Martian tells us about how to improve the science ecosystem.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/time-to-sc...
What The Martian tells us about how to improve the science ecosystem.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/time-to-sc...
I'm very proud that the Council I'm a member has for many years been a White Ribbon council.
Every person individually or organisations can take the WR promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men's violence against women.
www.whiteribbon.org.uk/promise
Every person individually or organisations can take the WR promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men's violence against women.
www.whiteribbon.org.uk/promise
Make the White Ribbon Promise — White Ribbon UK
The White Ribbon Promise is a serious declaration and an important way to begin your journey to becoming an ally in ending men's violence against women and girls.
www.whiteribbon.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I'm very proud that the Council I'm a member has for many years been a White Ribbon council.
Every person individually or organisations can take the WR promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men's violence against women.
www.whiteribbon.org.uk/promise
Every person individually or organisations can take the WR promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about men's violence against women.
www.whiteribbon.org.uk/promise
Reposted by Antony Hook
Hardly any of the newly elected Reform councillors had experience of local government. Among their ranks were decorators, landlords, gas engineers, teachers, a carpet-store owner, a photographer and a paramedic
✏️ @edjennings.bsky.social
✏️ @edjennings.bsky.social
Reform’s sinking Kent flagship
The council was supposed to show how effective Nigel Farage’s party would be in power. Those watching from close quarters have instead been treated to a spectacle of chaos, spite and division
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Hardly any of the newly elected Reform councillors had experience of local government. Among their ranks were decorators, landlords, gas engineers, teachers, a carpet-store owner, a photographer and a paramedic
✏️ @edjennings.bsky.social
✏️ @edjennings.bsky.social
The analysis in this article is pretty correct. Reform are a financial mess and right now people are suffering as a result.
🔴Reform UK’s ‘Cost Cutting’ Council Prepares to Raise Taxes After Presiding Over £46 Million Overspend
Nigel Farage’s flagship council, which promised to “reduce waste and cut your taxes” is set to raise bills after spending tens of millions of pounds over its budget
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/24/r...
Nigel Farage’s flagship council, which promised to “reduce waste and cut your taxes” is set to raise bills after spending tens of millions of pounds over its budget
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/24/r...
Reform UK's 'Cost Cutting' Council Prepares to Raise Taxes After Presiding Over £46 Million Overspend
Nigel Farage's flagship Kent County Council, which promised to "reduce waste and cut your taxes" is set to raise bills on local taxpayers, after spending tens of millions of pounds over its budget
bylinetimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The analysis in this article is pretty correct. Reform are a financial mess and right now people are suffering as a result.
Reposted by Antony Hook
🔴Reform UK’s ‘Cost Cutting’ Council Prepares to Raise Taxes After Presiding Over £46 Million Overspend
Nigel Farage’s flagship council, which promised to “reduce waste and cut your taxes” is set to raise bills after spending tens of millions of pounds over its budget
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/24/r...
Nigel Farage’s flagship council, which promised to “reduce waste and cut your taxes” is set to raise bills after spending tens of millions of pounds over its budget
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/24/r...
Reform UK's 'Cost Cutting' Council Prepares to Raise Taxes After Presiding Over £46 Million Overspend
Nigel Farage's flagship Kent County Council, which promised to "reduce waste and cut your taxes" is set to raise bills on local taxpayers, after spending tens of millions of pounds over its budget
bylinetimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
🔴Reform UK’s ‘Cost Cutting’ Council Prepares to Raise Taxes After Presiding Over £46 Million Overspend
Nigel Farage’s flagship council, which promised to “reduce waste and cut your taxes” is set to raise bills after spending tens of millions of pounds over its budget
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/24/r...
Nigel Farage’s flagship council, which promised to “reduce waste and cut your taxes” is set to raise bills after spending tens of millions of pounds over its budget
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/24/r...
When we eventually rejoin the EU, we'll probably qualify for greater structural funds than we did before we left.
Over at the Daily Telegraph, they're scratching their heads as to why the former mining and steel producinv city of Gliwice in Poland is now 45% more prosperous than Darlington... and why it has new shiny infrastructure... without mentioning EU funds for urban and regional development...
November 24, 2025 at 9:41 AM
When we eventually rejoin the EU, we'll probably qualify for greater structural funds than we did before we left.
Reposted by Antony Hook
So the line is that he wasn't getting paid for any of this
November 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
So the line is that he wasn't getting paid for any of this
Where I live, in Faversham, the people putting flags halfway up lamp posts are explicit that their agenda is anti-refugee. They could not be clearer about this.
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 23, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Where I live, in Faversham, the people putting flags halfway up lamp posts are explicit that their agenda is anti-refugee. They could not be clearer about this.
The near monopoly ownership of the UK press is already a problem. Allowing another newspaper to bec swallowed into another, only makes that worse.
Birds of a feather ...
The decline of the Telegraph is complete.
The decline of the Telegraph is complete.
November 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The near monopoly ownership of the UK press is already a problem. Allowing another newspaper to bec swallowed into another, only makes that worse.
Dear Russian Bots hitting up my inbox,
As the great Cher Horowitz would say, "as if".
As the great Cher Horowitz would say, "as if".
November 23, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Dear Russian Bots hitting up my inbox,
As the great Cher Horowitz would say, "as if".
As the great Cher Horowitz would say, "as if".